Gallant
Ratings198
Average rating3.8
I quite liked this one!
It was so atmospheric, so mysterious, and even emotional at times. And it was so beautifully written!
Why it doesn't get 5 stars is because I wanted more from the villain and earlier in the book.
Regardless, I highly recommend it.
4.5
This is the kind of story that makes me wonder how am I supposed to come up with a story better than this. V.E. Schwab SWALLOWED me on this world with her writing. I was LITERALLY watching a movie. And the world is weird on its own way, but just the way she described it you couldn't get confused.
I want to hug Olivia, such a good character. The story it self is a masterpiece. It was creepy but in a good way. Tho the ending left me wanting for more, I just feel happy that she got to discover her family and her home. The WRITING tho!! SO GOOD! I can't believe I didn't pick this up sooner.
The only negative thing I have to say is that I didn't quite understood Olivia's dad. I can picture him how I imagined him, but the book never really describe how he is. I mean it does, but for me I needed just a tiny bit more of describing.
UPDATE 2024: This book is so good I had to reread it. This hasn't happened since the Harry potter series. I could absolutely devour this book over and over again. I love Olivia and Matthew's character arcs. Just so amazing. As i mentioned in my previous review I loved Addie La Rue and I have to see this is my now favorite book of VE Schwab. Who knows I may reread addie la rue but for now I'm super satisfied and this has officially got me out of a reading slump.
I have yet to be disappointed by a schwab book. Her writing is chefs kiss perfection. This story is incredible and i love the representation for non verbal individuals and use of sign language throughout. I was so vested in this from page one and never a single dull detail within this story. The ending was even better than i imagined it with my theories. There is a spooky crimson peak vibe to it but it still feels absolutely unique and original like nothing that has been written before. This is one like addie la rue that ill be treasuring to re read for years to come.
Schwab is a phenomenal storyteller. In my humble list of favorites, her writing and storytelling ranks up there with Rothfuss, Okorafor, and Becky Chambers for me. I don't always love the stories she tells (sorry, I'm one of those that was very “meh” on Addie LaRue) but she could tell me the story of how she bought spinach at the grocery store last week and I'd stick through to the end just for the descriptions.
Gallant was different. It didn't waft through centuries exploring personal connection and sacrifice. It stared down the deepest parts of youthful vehemence and the need to belong and challenged you to confront yourself. The story drags you along into battle to understand what it means to form a family and fight for it.
It is the tale of Oliva, whose father died before she was born and her mother left her at a home for independent girls as a young child. She has no voice, sees a few ghouls, and thoroughly hates where she has ended up. She finally is given a chance at a real home when a long-lost uncle writes and invites her home.
This book is a gutsy, emotional ride through self-discovery when all you have fought for is hanging in the balance. If you are looking for the teenage child of Coraline meets Shades of Magic.... this will not disappoint. If you are seeking another taste of the storytelling that only somewhat saved Addie LaRue, this is for you.
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Well, i think this is the first time when i don't really have any thoughts about a certain book. I mean, it was an ok and easy read but it didn't live up to the high expectations i had for this book after reading the synopsis.
The strongest point of this book is definitely Schwab's writing style. Its artistry is one of a kind and it manages to create the eerie and ominous atmosphere characteristic of a gothic novel. The descriptions of the mansion and the ghouls were so intricate and vivid that i could perfectly picture them in my mind while reading. Ultimately, i really enjoyed the artwork within the novel, they complemented the story perfectly and were a pleasure to look at! I loved observing all the little details and trying to decipher the hidden meaning behind them haha!
However, the plot felt simplistic and underdeveloped to me. I actually was rather shocked when i got the novel in the mail and saw how short it was
V.E. Schwab will be the death of me.
The way I'm hugging this book right now its- I need a moment
Heel mooi geschreven, sfeervol en poëtisch. Interessant uitgangspunt, gaf me wat Coraline-vibes, maar zoals veel Schwab-boeken bleef het verhaal slechts vaag geschetst / gesuggereerd. Voelde meer als een jeugdboek aan dan als een YA.
3.5..? Gosh, I loved the plot/storyline and the mysteries of Olivia and her family. But, the ending.. seemed so rushed and such a cliffhanger. I felt like it didn't resolve anything! ;-;
3.5 stars
It took me 256 days to finish this. That makes me so frustrated because I LOVE VE Schwab. Everything I've read from her has been 4 stars and up. Gallant just didn't keep my attention. The beginning hooked me... then let me go til about 70%, which is where it got me again. I just didn't feel like I wanted to pick it up every day. I did love the last 20% of the book, I just wish that action was sprinkled throughout the whole book.
Me gustó mucho.
La historia es buenísima, y por eso mismo, me quedó corta. Siento que había muchísimo material para hacerla más larga y desarrollar mas cosas, incluyendo el final.
Aún así lo disfruté de principio a fin.
No sabía qué esperar de este libro, sé que lo agregué a mi lista de lectura porque me gustó mucho Addie LaRue y busqué más cosas de la autora. Este es el 3er libro que leo de ella y que maravilla la varieda de tramas que puede escribir. Gallant es una novela de fantasía oscura y llena de suspenso, que trata temas de identidad y pertenencia. La protagonista es una chica muda, pero su personalidad es lo suficientemente fuerte para que no necesite usar palabras para expresarla. El worldbuilding es una joyita y la trama va dejando pistas al respecto para que uno pueda terminar de decifrar lo que está pasando. Recomendadísimo
I love VE Schwab. I felt this book was missing something the whole time I read it. I couldn't help but think I had heard the story before. I thought yo myself...”this feels like vicious meets Addie, meets Near Witch...”.
As I read though...I saw the story was unique and had that classic Schwab touch. What was so great was how relatable Olivia was.
Overall, the book was great...not phenomenal (like so many of her others). Great read with great characters I just felt like it was missing something. Maybe it was missing a chapter or two on just death, but maybe the mystery was the point. Still unsure.
Thank you Victoria for another great book!
Parts of this book were so close to being perfect for me, but it ultimately didn't pack the emotion I was hoping for.
C'était une lecture étrange, douce. Sauf vers le dernier quart où les choses se corsent.
Je dois dire que j'ai beaucoup aimé Olivia. À la lecture du résumé, j'avais l'impression qu'elle avait au moins 16 ans, mais non, elle en 14. Ce qui m'a plu.
Je comprends les critiques des personnes qui n'ont pas été happées par l'histoire. En soi, il ne se passe pas grand-chose et si on me demandait de résumer l'histoire du début à la fin, c'est vrai que ça ne serait pas long. C'est un roman d'atmosphère et ça, soit on embarque, soit on s'ennuie. J'ai embarqué. :) J'ai aussi aimé Mexican Gothic, avec son manoir lugubre, je crois que j'ai un faible pour ce genre-là!
Un roman avec un léger mystère, pas d'énormes surprises, mais qui dégage une certaine chaleur, de la nostalgie, de la tendresse, un peu d'humour et, à la fin, et à la fois de la résilience et de la tristesse.